exclusive economic zone

noun

: the area of sea and seabed extending from the shore of a country claiming exclusive rights to it

Examples of exclusive economic zone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Chinese patrol coincided with the deployment of the U.S. aircraft carrier USS George Washington to the South China Sea, within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025 The waters of French Polynesia, home to over 30 shark species within a 2.1 million square mile (5.5 million km²) exclusive economic zone, provide a unique environment to study shark-human interactions. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025 The shoal lies over 500 miles from China's southernmost province, Hainan, and about 140 miles east of Luzon Island, well within the U.S. ally's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025 The Philippines has released footage showing the Chinese coast guard deploying water cannons to drive away a fisheries bureau vessel operating within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for exclusive economic zone

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exclusive economic zone was in 1975

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exclusive economic zone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exclusive%20economic%20zone. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on exclusive economic zone

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!